Cancer (Oncology) Services

Summa Health System is a leader in cancer treatment with nationally recognized cancer centers throughout Northeast Ohio. Treating more than 100 cancer types, with specialization in lung, breast, colorectal, gynecological and orthopedic, our cancer centers are fully accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (CoC), and we are one of only two major health systems in Northeast Ohio to earn the prestigious American College of Radiation (ACR) accreditation in radiation oncology. With the area’s top board-certified cancer specialists, Summa also has the area’s only orthopaedic oncologists.

At Summa Health System, our goal is to make the difficult journey from cancer diagnosis through cancer treatment and recovery as easy and seamless as possible. By combining the latest cancer treatment technology with personalized, patient-centered care, we create an environment focused on whole-person healing.

Specialists

We have a team-based, multi-disciplinary approach to cancer treatment with expert cancer specialists that include oncologists, health psychologists, surgeons, palliative care, advanced nurses and a specialized support staff who all work together to provide patients, their families and caregivers with individualized support through all phases of the cancer experience.

Technology

SRS and SBRT provide patients with more precise and non-invasive treatment that is faster and more convenient for the patient. These technologies allow Summa’s radiation oncologists to pinpoint the exact location of a tumor and delver the radiation treatments more directly while decreasing exposure to surrounding tissues.

This advanced technology allows Summa to treat tumors virtually anywhere in the body, including the brain and lung, as well as tumors requiring highly focused precision or those that are medically inoperable. With custom tracking, our oncologists can treat small tumors close to critical organs.

Clinical Trials and Research

Cancer patients also benefit from more than 100 open national clinical trials at Summa. Our cancer specialists serve on committees for the National Cancer Institute and lead national research studies on the Summa Health System campus.

At Summa, we strive to catch cancer early, when it’s easier to treat and cure. Through our dedication to exceptional cancer screening programs, we strive to improve the overall health of the communities we serve. Summa’s cancer screening services include digital mammography for breast cancer, colonoscopy for colorectal cancer and low-dose CT scans for lung cancer.

Screening

At Summa, we strive to catch cancer early, when it’s easier to treat and cure. Through our dedication to exceptional cancer screening programs, we strive to improve the overall health of the communities we serve. Summa’s cancer screening services include digital mammography for breast cancer, colonoscopy for colorectal cancer, low-dose CT scans for lung cancer, PSA tests for prostate cancer and PAP tests for cervical cancer.

As a Summa patient, you’ll have access to advanced, comprehensive cancer services through a number of convenient centers located throughout Northeast Ohio.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call (888) 293-5335.

Cancer Screening and Prevention Guidelines

Breast Health

Age 21-39

Screening Recommendations

Guidelines

Frequency

Clinical Breast Exam

About every 3 years. Physician's discretion.

3 yrs

Screening Mammogram

At Physician's discretion for women with higher than average risk and age less than 40.

Discuss

Age 40-64

Screening Recommendations

Guidelines

Frequency

Clinical Breast Exam

Annually

Annually

Screening Mammogram

Annually

Annually

Discuss Breast Cancer Chemoprevention

Please discuss with your healthcare provider.

Discuss

Age 65 and older

Screening Recommendations

Guidelines

Frequency

Clinical Breast Exam

Annually

Annually

Screening Mammogram

Annually

Annually

Cervical Health

Age 21-29

Screening Recommendations

Guidelines

Frequency

Pap Smear. Note: Women who have had their uterus removed (and also her cervix) for reasons not related to cervical cancer and who had no history of cervical cancer or serious pre-cancer should not be tested.

Age 30-65

Every 3 years, screening with cytology (Papanicolaou smear, Pap smear) alone. OR Screening with cytology (Pap smear) and HPV testing every 5 years.

3 OR 5 yrs

Age 65 and older

Screening Recommendations

Guidelines

Frequency

Pap Smear

Women over 65 who have had 2 consecutive negative Paps within the past 10 years or no history of high grade dysplasia
within the past 20 years can stop cervical screening. Please discuss with your healthcare provider.

Discuss

Colorectal Health

Beginning at Age 40

Screening Recommendations

Guidelines

Frequency

Colonoscopy

Every 5 years, if colorectal cancer or adenomatous polyps in any first-degree relative before age 60.

Annually. FOBT or FIT is not recommended for 5 years after a high-quality colonoscopy.

Annually

* Requires follow-up colonoscopy if the selected study is abnormal.

Lung Health

Age 50-54

Screening Recommendations

Guidelines

Frequency

CT Lung Screen (Low Dose)

Smoked at least one pack a day for 20 years and one additional risk: radon exposure, occupational exposure, cancer history, family history of lung cancer, COPD or pulmonary fibrosis.

Discuss

Age 55-74

Screening Recommendations

Guidelines

Frequency

CT Lung Screen (Low Dose)

Smoked at least one pack a day for 30 years or two packs a day for 15 years. OR Quit smoking less than 15 years ago.

Discuss

Prostate Health

Age 45-49

Screening Recommendations

Guidelines

Frequency

Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) Blood Test and Digital Rectal Exam

Offer annually with information on potential risks and benefits to begin starting between ages 45-49 to African Americans and to individuals with a family history with at least a 10-year life expectancy.

Annually

Age 50 and older

Screening Recommendations

Guidelines

Frequency

Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) Blood Test and Digital Rectal Exam

Offer annually to men with at least 10-year life expectancy along with information on potential risks and benefits.